The US, while eager to win China's support to help avenge terrorist attacks on its soil, will not sacrifice its ties with Taiwan or play down the importance of peace in the region, Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) said yesterday.
Chang, who was in Hawaii when the tragedy struck and whose return was delayed for two days, said that the government had made all necessary preparations to cope with potential fallout from US military action against Afghanistan.
"While in Hawaii, Richard Bush [chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan] assured me there would be no change to Washington-Taipei ties in the wake of the terrorist assault," Chang said during interpellation in the legislature.
The US is seeking international support for its pledged retaliation against the terrorists, who the superpower maintains are hiding in war-torn Afghanistan.
For its part, Taiwan has offered condolences for the victims of the tragedy and thrown its weight behind the anti-terrorist campaign.
Echoing Chang's comments, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Hung-mao (
The premier, however, would not answer to news reports that the country could fall prey to terrorist wrath because of its purchases of US weapons.
Defense Minister Wu Shih-wen (
"Though there are no diplomatic links between Taiwan and the US, we are closely monitoring the situation," Wu said.
On Thursday, President Chen Shui-bian (
Chang told the legislature that there would not be a price increase for gasoline, as the country has sufficient supplies.
"There is no need to worry about a gas shortage as we have in stock crude oil that can meet demand for 80 days," he said. "An additional 30-days' supply is being shipped to the country."
The price of crude oil has slipped back to US$27 a barrel, after jumping to US$31 in the first few days after the terrorist attacks.
Chang declined to comment when asked what the Cabinet would do if any war were to last beyond the 110 days of stock.
Economics Minister Lin Hsin-yi (
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